Sharjeel Imam Returns Home on Interim Bail After Six Years in Custody
In a significant development, Sharjeel Imam, an accused in the "larger conspiracy" case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, has been granted interim bail to attend his younger brother's wedding and spend time with his ailing mother. After nearly six years of continuous judicial custody, Imam returned to his ancestral village of Kako in Jehanabad, Bihar, marking his first release since his arrest in January 2020.
Court Grants 10-Day Bail with Strict Conditions
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai of the Karkardooma Court in Delhi granted Sharjeel Imam interim bail from March 20 to March 30, 2026. The bail was approved on the condition that Imam furnishes a personal bond of Rs 50,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. The court imposed several restrictions to ensure compliance during this period.
- Imam must not contact any witnesses or individuals connected to the case.
- He is required to share his mobile number with the investigating officer and keep it active at all times.
- He is prohibited from interacting with the media or using social media platforms.
- He is permitted to meet only family members and must remain at his residence or wedding venues.
Upon the conclusion of the bail period, Imam must surrender before the jail superintendent on the evening of March 30, with a compliance report to be submitted to the court.
Family Reunion and Wedding Celebrations
Sharjeel Imam's younger brother, Muzzammil Imam, is scheduled to get married on March 25. Expressing joy over the reunion, Muzzammil stated, "After six years, we've had this opportunity that Sharjeel Bhai has come out from Tihar Jail. We thank the court for understanding our concerns and allowing him to come from Delhi to Bihar to spend time with his family. He was released under the very basic restrictions that are imposed on any under-trial prisoner upon bail. He is on parole for eleven days, from the 20th to the 30th."
When questioned about demands from the government, Muzzammil emphasized their reliance on the judiciary, saying, "What can we demand from the government? Our demands will be from the judiciary. The government is not an authorized body to fulfil our demands. Our fight is against the policies, and the right to make a decision on that is of our courts. We trust our courts. Sooner or later, we will definitely get justice."
Background of the Case and Legal Proceedings
Sharjeel Imam, who describes himself as a "political prisoner and student activist," was pursuing a PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at the time of his arrest. He, along with Umar Khalid and 16 others, was arrested in January 2020 under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the Delhi riots case.
The riots, which erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020, resulted in over 50 deaths and more than 700 injuries. According to the Delhi Police, the violence was the result of a "pre-planned and well-designed" conspiracy amid protests against the then-proposed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
In a related development earlier in January, the Supreme Court granted bail to several other accused, including Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad. However, the court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, noting that the two stood on a "qualitatively different footing" in terms of both prosecution and evidence.
This interim bail marks a rare respite for Imam, who has remained in custody without any prior temporary release, highlighting the ongoing legal battles and family reunions in high-profile cases.
